Meshaal warns of 'third intifada'

[oberliner]

The political leader of Hamas has said the US and Europe have an historical opportunity at the moment to resolve the Middle East conflict.

"In six months ... if this chance is not used, the Palestinian people will close all political files and launch a third intifada," Khaled Meshaal said in Cairo on Saturday.

"There is a historic opportunity for a Palestinian state within 1967 borders ... otherwise, there are chances of a wider confrontation."

Meshaal had been meeting Egyptian officials on the formation of a Palestinian unity government by Hamas and its rival, Fatah.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CDC75102-FF42-492B-9D20-6FB59BE8279B.htm

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

1. So much hate, so little time, better start talking.

[Scurrilous]

2. Meshal abandons six-month deadline for Palestinian state

<snip>

"Hamas chief Khaled Meshal during a television interview aired Sunday backed away from a six month deadline he set the day before for achieving a Palestinian state or else the militant group would launch a newuprising against Israel. But he warned if negotiations were neglected, Palestinians would "carry on their struggle."

Meshal, who spoke during a taped telephone call-in show on a state-run Egyptian television station, said Hamas would be willing to give negotiations eight months or a year. He was responding to a question from Nabil Shaath, the Palestinian Information Minister and member of the more moderate Fatah Party, who said it was not logical for Palestinians to be talking about an uprising.

"I said six months, but do you want more than six months? Maybe we can take eight months or a year," Meshal said. But he warned "if the door is sealed and the horizon is closed then we have to look for another choice. We will impose our will on the Zionist enemy and the international community."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/792842.html

[Boston Critic]

3. Here's a hint for Meshaal

When you start talking about negotiating with Israel instead of the "Zionist enemy," perhaps people will start taking your seriously.

Can you imagine what would happen if Ohlmert referred to the Palestinians as "Islamic creatures" or some such?

[newyorican]

4. False analogy...

...and one riddled with substantial signs of emotional irrationality.

Zionist is not a religious designation. It is nationalistic.

Enemy is not a dehumaning term. Creatures surely is.

A more correct analogy would be "Arab enemies", if referring to the Palestinians taking up arms against Israel.

Now...that being straightened out...anyone espousing the term, "Arab enemy" should also not be taken seriously?

[Behind the Aegis]

5. Actually, you are also incorrect.

A more exact phrasing would be "pan-Arabism" as a substitute for "zionism."

[newyorican]

6. Wasn't claiming to be "correct"...

..hence the term "more correct". But I'm glad you agree the original statement is flawed.

[cali]

7. Depending on how it's used Zionist

absolutely is a perjorative. I suggest you check out the numerous hate sites on the Web. Stormfront comes to mind.

[newyorican]

8. I am fully aware of that...

...and the use, perjorative or not, still indicates a nationalistic reference.

If other, misguided, groups desire to expand the term beyond that, it is not germane to the point being made.

[everythingsxen]

9. Suppose it were Olmert making the comment:

"I said six months, but do you want more than six months? Maybe we can take eight months or a year," Olmert said. But he warned "if the door is sealed and the horizon is closed then we have to look for another choice. We will impose our will on the Islamo-fascist enemy and the international community."

That definitely sounds as bad as "Zionist enemies" and just as much of a threat.

...still indicates a nationalistic reference.

Really, Zionist indicates a specific nation?

It sounds a tad vague to me, in the same vein as "We will crush our Zionist enemies" that you might hear from the average white supremacist.

[idontwantaname]

10. your point makes sense

he sounds like a crazy person. i agree.
he also sounds like countless israelis who illegally live within the west bank sheltered primarily by the zionism umbrella of "god gave us this land"

[IntiRaymi]

12. The big joke in that line of reasoning being ...

that all of the southeastern corner of the mediterranean was part of Egypt, preceding Israel by hundreds of years. Not like this sort of logic would matter, anyways.

[Boston Critic]

14. The diference is...

...the extremist settlers don't speak for the governing party.

[idontwantaname]

15. they dont speak for them but

theyre definitely supported by them. who do you think sets up the settlements and gives money to settlers? santa claus?

[Boston Critic]

16. Oh, you don't know anything about the settlers?

Some are supported by the government. Others are acting on their own, and do NOT receive such support. There are a number of hilltop settlements consisting of a bunch of trailers that the government does very definitely NOT support. Some of them have been removed but the settlers simply return. In a negotiated agreement, those settlements would be permanently removed.

Btw, why do you favor apartheid in Palestinian territory?

[newyorican]

11. Traveling far afield of the initial point...

I shall try to "reel it in", so to speak.

The original analogy equated the terms, "Zionist enemies" with Islamic creatures".


I responded that the analogy was far from reasonable and offered, in my opinion, "more correct" terminology.

A more correct analogy would be "Arab enemies", if referring to the Palestinians taking up arms against Israel.


BTA, quite graciously, improved upon the terminology I offered.

A more exact phrasing would be "pan-Arabism" as a substitute for "zionism."


Beyond those points, there have been a few attempts to read into and beyond the written words. Not saying that is right or wrong, just that is isn't germane to the point I was making. In addition, reading intent into transcribed words tends to conform to the biases of the reader and doesn't really shed much light on the matter. I don't know the person doing the talking, nor the person doing the transcribing, therefore I am left to rely on the written word and the written word alone.

[Boston Critic]

13. Of course it is

But the double standard you're espousing is noted.

Palestinians may insult Israelis and refuse to even acknowledge the State of Israel exists.

The use of "Zionist enemy" instead of "Israel" is like Republicans referring to the "Democrat Party."

It's a deliberate sign of disrespect and implication of illegitimacy.

[newyorican]

17. Enjoy your stay

n/t